India 2018 Budget gets a tick from tour operator

“Along with this, the move to upgrade tourism amenities at 100 ASI managed monuments will enhance the visitor experience. All this will generate huge economic activity as it also involves infrastructure and skill development in the region,” said Kerkar.

The emphasis in the recent 2018 Indian Budget on developing infrastructure will improve accessibility across the country and move tourists beyond the major centres, says Peter Kerkar, Group, CEO, Cox & Kings.

“Along with this, the move to upgrade tourism amenities at 100 ASI managed monuments will enhance the visitor experience. All this will generate huge economic activity as it also involves infrastructure and skill development in the region.”

Kerkar said tourism is the largest employment generator in India and the Budget measures will open up huge employment opportunities.

“The move to expand the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), to over 56 unserved airports and 31 unserved helipads will open up huge opportunities for the travel industry as connectivity will improve and people in these areas will be able to travel seamlessly within India and overseas, thereby giving a boost to domestic and outbound tourism.”

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development and "Regional Connectivity Scheme" of the Government of India, with the objective of "Let the common citizen of the country fly".

Overall, Kerkar said, the thrust of this budget was on infrastructure development, “which is what the tourism industry has always represented to the government”.

“New tourism circuits can only come up if there was adequate development and this Budget lays emphasis on it,” he added.